The question of whether the foreign agent status lingers after a person’s death is not treated as a stigma, a point clarified by a member of Russia’s State Duma who helped shape the foreign agents law. He noted that the law already specifies how individuals are added to and removed from the registry, and emphasized that inclusion as a foreign representative is not meant to be a life-long mark that persists after death. If the circumstances that led to the registry entry are no longer present, the person can be removed from the list, making the posthumous perpetuation of the status unnecessary. The deputy also pointed out that the system already accommodates removal and that there is no logic in discussing whether someone remains listed after death or is labeled posthumously as a foreign agent. He added that this remains his personal view and highlighted that awards are sometimes conferred after death, which underscores the distinction between posthumous honors and the registry status.
A second deputy stressed that this topic could spark debates within the chamber, since the current law does not provide for posthumous recognition as a foreign agent. He suggested that any amendment proposed by a member of parliament would likely provoke controversy, with supporters and critics presenting valid arguments. The matter would be suitable for discussion in the appropriate committee, he indicated, where viewpoints could be weighed and examined.
According to the Ministry of Justice, more than 300 individuals have been added to the foreign agents registry over the past two years, bringing the total to well over 700 since the registry’s inception in 2013. This ongoing inclusion reflects ongoing concerns about transparency and state interests as lawmakers refine the regulatory framework for foreign influence.
There has also been a long-standing stance in the State Duma that banning foreign agents from entering the country would raise constitutional questions, a reminder that the balance between security measures and constitutional rights remains a focal point in public policy discussions.